Plural socket contact



June 14, 1966 A. D. VAN HORSSEN PLURAL SOCKET CONTACT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed NOV. 26, 1965 5 m m# mm W D. R

June 1966 A. D. VAN HORSSEN 3,256,510

PLURAL SOCKET CONTACT Filed Nov. 26, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 KHZ/Ev UnitedStates Patent 3,256,510 PLURAL SOCKET CONTACT Arden D. Van Horssen,Minneapolis, Minn., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to United-Carr Incorporated, Boston, Mass, acorporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 326,175 11 Claims.(Cl. 339-198) This invention relates generally to electrical contacts,and pertains more specifically to a socket contact for accommodating orreceiving a plurality of pins.

One object of the invention is to provide a plural or multiple socketcontact that can be readily fabricated from sheet metal. Morespecifically, it is an aim of the invention to provide such a contactthat will accommodate at least one tapered pin and one straight pin. Inits preferred form, it is planned that a pair of receptacles for taperedpins face in one direction and that an intermediate receptacle for thereceiving of a straight pin face in an opposite direction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a contact of the foregoingcharacter that will be of small size. In this regard, contacts havingoppositely directed receptacles are currently available but thereceptacles extend in opposite directions from a central bridgingmember, thereby causing each contact to take up a considerable amount ofspace. With the present invention, it is envisaged that one receptaclewill lie between two adjacent receptacles so that the distance betweenthe openings for the several receptacles will be appreciably reduced ascompared with prior art contacts. Not only does this have a decidedadvantage where numerous such contacts are employed, but in high-speeddata processing there is the added advantage of shortening theelectrical path so that the equipment can operate at a higher rate. V

Still another object of the invention is to provide a plural or multiplesocket contact that can be readily inserted and removed from a moldedplastic block or shell. It is contemplated that the plastic block orshell will house a number of contacts fabricated in accordance with theteachings of the present invention, perhaps 30 or more, and if anyindividual contact should break or otherwise require replacement, thecontact can be easily removed and a new one substituted therefor. Also,since in a number of instances access is available only from one side ofan array of such molded blocks, a large number of such' blocksconstituting a large panel, it is within the purview of the invention toprovide an electrical contact that is accessible from either or bothsides to initiate release although the contact is taken out or removedonly from one side.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a contact having areceptacle arrangement as outlined above which contact is made fromrelatively thin gauge sheet metal stock, it being envisaged that theplastic material constituting the molded block or shell will provideadditional strength that is particularly needed in conjunction with thetapered receptacles that flank the receptacle for the straight pin. Itis also an aim of the invention to provide an electrical contact capableof receiving both tapered and straight pins that will allow the taperedpin to be forced into the tapered receptacle and thereby expand thereceptacle to whatever extent is necessary for the firm and positiveretention of that particular tapered pin or plug. Stated somewhatdifferently, when practicing the invention, it is not necessary to havean electrical contact with tapered receptacles that must be fabricatedwith close tolerances, for with the envisioned arrangement the taperedpin will merely force the tapered receptacle outwardly against thetapered plastic wall to whatever extent is necessary in order tomaintain engagement between the tapered pin and the tapered receptacle.

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While it is contemplated that an electrical contact having taperedreceptacles will be adequate for most purposes without imparting anynon-circular cross section to the receptacle, nonetheless the inventionpermits the formation of generally tapered receptacles that can bedistorted so as to possess a hexagonal or other non-circularconfiguration when viewed in cross section. Thus, where the inventionpermits the use of relatively thin stock, it follows that various crosssectional configurations can be formed in the receptacles or barrels forreceiving the tapered pins, the tapered pins then expanding andconforming the receptacles to the exact taper of the pins when insertedtherein. Such an arrangement can be used to provide an exceedingly tightfit when circumstances so dictate.

Still another object of the invention is to provide multiple socketcontacts that can be manufactured at a very low cost. For example, it isintended that the contact be stamped from a piece of sheet metal andthat the resulting blank be formed into the appropriate configurationWithout resort to brazing or adding any other parts. In other Words, ifit is within the scope of the present invention to make an electricalcontact that is capable of accom-modating a plurality of pins that willbe of a unitary construction.

The attributes of my electrical contact make it especially suitable foruse in conjunction with logic circuitry for high-speed electronic dataprocessing. While those familiar with the computer art will immediatelyrecognize where contacts of this type will be used, it can be explainedthat it is conventional to provide printed circuit boards havingstraight pins extending therefrom that are to be plugged into theappropriate receptacles for receiving these straight pins. These printedcircuit boards carry the logic circuits. On the other hand, a semi-permanent type of connection is desired at the other side of the blocks orshells containing the multiple socket contacts, such wiring leading tomore permanently installed equipment. It is for this reason that taperedpins have been employed, such pins providing a semi-permanentconnection. Also, by having two tapered receptacles associated with asingle straight pin receptacle, it is possible to interconnect variouscontacts with each other as well as with the more permanently installedequipment. Where thousands of such contacts are used in a givencomputer, it will be apparent that the cost of the various contacts isimportant, although reliability cannot in any Way be sacrificed.Consequently, the invention has as a general or over-all object theprovision of a multiple socket contact that will possess especialutility 'for data processing applications.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fullyappear from the following description, made in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIGURE =1 is a perspective view taken from one side of an electricalcontact fabricated in accordance with my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view looking at the other side of theelectrical contact shown in FIGURE 1, the

view being somewhat enlarged over FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of a sheet metal blank to be formed into thesocket configuration pictured in 'FIGURES '1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of a fragmentary portion of a molded blockor shell assembly in which a number of the contacts shown in FIGURES 1and 2 would be inserted, no contacts having been depicted, however, inthis view;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 55 of FIGURE4, an electrical contact having been inserted therein;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 6-6 ofFIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical contact in theprocess of being inserted into the molded block assembly;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional detail view taken generally in the direction ofline 88 of FIGURE but illustrating a suitable probe or implement foreffecting the removal of the contact from the plastic block;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective exploded view corresponding to FIGURE 7 butdepicting a somewhat modified electrical contact with respect to theparticular means for retaining the contact within the confines of theplastic block, and

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the modified contact ofFIGURE 9, the view illustrating the ditferent tang arrangement forholding the contact in a captive relationship with the plastic block.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1-8, it willbe observed that the sheet metal plural socket contact has been denotedgenerally by the reference numeral 10. As can best be discerned fromFIGURES 1 and 2, the contact 10 includes an integral and centrallydisposed U-shaped or reversely bent body 12 having side or front andback panels '14, 16 and an interconnecting bridging or bight portion 18.Actually, by virtue of a specific tang arrangement hereinafter referredto, the bight portion 18 constitutes a pair of connecting strips ratherthan a single portion, although reference to a single portionfacilitates the description and also the claim language. Extendingdownwardly from the panels 14, 16 are front and back tines or springfingers 20.

The contact 10 additionally includes a pair of laterally extendingtapered barrels or receptacles 24, 26. These tapered receptacles 24, 26each have a free edge 28 that has been rolled or otherwise curved intoan adjacent relationship with rear or back panel 16. 'Described in asomewhat different fashion, it will be perceived that each of thetapered receptacles 24, 26 includes an upper tapered barrel portion 30forming a circular opening 32 for the entrance of a conventional taperedpin (not shown). Each of the receptacles 24, 26 further includes threetines or spring fingers 34, 36, 38 plus a fourth spring finger 48. Itwill be observed that the fourth spring finger 40 in each instance islonger than the spring fingers 34, 36 and 38. In this way, theadditional spring fingers 40 cooperate with the earlier-described springfingers to form an intermediate receptacle for the accommodation of aconventional straight pin (not shown).

At this time, attention is directed to the presence of a tang 42 thathas an upwardly inclining portion 44 and a horizontal portion .46. Thehorizontal portion 46, as will be clarified later on, constitutes alatching element that serves to retain the contact 10 in place. A slot4-8 in the rear panel 16 permits the horizontal portion 46 to projectrearwardly from the backside of the contact, this being evident fromFIGURE 2.

To assist in understanding the construction of the contact 10, it willbe of help to refer at this time to a sheet metal blank 50 from whichthe contact 10 is fabricated. It is believed that only a glance at theblank 50 set forth in FIGURE 3 will be necessary in order to demonstratethe simplicity of the unitary electrical contact 18 shown in itscompleted form in FIGURES l and 2. With reference now to FIGURES 48 inparticular, it can be seen that a plastic block or shell assembly 52 hasbeen depicted. The block assembly 52 includes a retaining casing orhousing '54 and a face plate 56. For immediate purposes, the face plate56 can be said to be provided with an oval opening 58; actually, onesuch opening 58 exists for each contact 10 and there would normally beat least or so contacts contained in each block assembly 52.

Although discernible from FIGURE 4, it can best be understood fromFIGURE 5 that the casing 54 is provided with a pair of tapered bores 60,62 for each opening 58 that extend completely through the thickness ofthe casing. This results in an opening at the smaller end of the bores60, 62 which has been designated by the numeral 64. It will be notedthat an interior wall 66 forms a cylindrical recess or pocket which hasa chamfered entranceway or opening 70.

It has already been mentioned that the tang 42 provides a horizontalportion 46 that functions as a latching element. It can now be statedthat there is an inclined or sloping cam surface 72 that deflects theend of the horizontal portion 46 as the electrical contact is insertedinto the block assembly 52. This results in the tang being urged in adirection so that once it passes the sloping cam surface 72, itsinherent resiliency will cause it to project into the pocket or recess74 formed in the casing 54 immediately adjacent the plate 56. Forobvious reasons, two such pockets or recesses 74 are provided so that itdoes not require that the contact 10 be oriented in a particulardirection when inserting same into the plastic block assembly 52. Byvirtue of an overhanging lip 76 adjacent each pocket or recess 74, itfollows that the horizontal portion 56 will be latched so that thecontact cannot be inadvertently dislodged from the block assembly 52.However, the contact 10 can be intentionally removed, and the procedurefor achieving thi goal will be described presently.

A somewhat modified socket contact 80 is depicted in FIGURE 9 and aportion thereof is illustrated in FIG- URE 10 on a larger scale. Thereal difference between the contact 80 and the contact 10 resides in thetang construction and the modified tang has been labeled 82. From FIGURE10, it will be noted that a pair of ears 84 are provided for latchingthe contact 80 in place. Asso ciated with the cars 84 is a platform 86for use when removing or dislodging the contact 80, the platform havinga hole 88 therein which assists in this operation. It

will be appreciated that the cars 84 abut against the overhanging lip 76when the contact 80 is inserted into a block assembly 52.

Having presented the foregoing information, the manner in which mycontact 10 is used, as well as the somewhat modified contact 80, shouldbe readily understood. With the face plate 56 appropriately secured tothe casing 54, this constituting the block assembly 52, all that need bedone in order to insert the contacts 10 is to force the particularcontact 10 through the oval opening 58 in the plate 56. When fullyinserted, the tang 42 will flex in a direction so as to cause engagementof its horizontal end portion 46 with a particular pocket or recess 74and will in this way positively lock the contact 10 in place within theblock assembly 52.

When the various contacts 10 have been inserted into the block assembly52, the block assembly will be mounted along with others, to constitutean array of such assemblies. It has already been mentioned that theinvention will find especial utility in connection with logic circuitryfor data processing purposes. When so mounted, the tapered receptacles24, 26 are readied for the accommodation of conventonal tapered pins. Itwill be recognized that the edge 28 of each receptacle 24, 26 is free toflex outwardly when the tapered pin is forced inwardly. Thus, thetapered receptacles 24, 26 need not be fabri cated with any closetolerances, for their edges 28 will yield to whatever extent isnecessary to permit reception of the tapered pins. The tapered pins,though do effect a considerable pressural action against the walls ofthe receptacles 24, 26 so that this action is resisted by the materialconstituting the casing 54. Hence, even though the contact 10 is stampedfrom relatively lightweight sheet material, the tapered bores 60, 62shoulder very adequately any pressural load applied by the tapered pins.In this way, the tapered pins are retained in a semi-permanentrelationship with the socket contact 10. However, should a need arisefor removing a particular tapered pin, such as to allow a circuit changeto be made, then the opening 64 for that particular bore will beavailable to provide access for knocking the pin out.

The receptacle for the straight pin is formed by the four spring fingers20 and 40. These spring fingers extend into the recess or pocket 68 andthe straight pin in each instance can readily be inserted through theentranceway 70. It has already been explained that the straight pinswill usually project from a printed circuit board or card when thecontact is employed in connection with logic circuitry.

If a contact 10 becomes damaged or broken, its removal can easily berealized. All that the technician need do is insert an appropriate toolor probe 90 through the entranceway 70. The tool 90 pictured in FIGURE 8has a tit 92 thereon which is readily brought to bear against theinclined portion 44 of the tang 42. Sufiicient movement in an upwarddirection as viewed in FIGURE 8 will cam the tang 42 to the left andthus retract the horizontal portion 46 from its particular pocket orrecess 74 so that the contact 10 will be completely removed from theblock assembly 52. If a hole 88, similar to that shown in FIGURE 10, isprovided in the tang 42, a pointed tool can be inserted through the ovalopening 48 to effect the removal of the contact 10 from the oppositeside of the block assembly 52. Thus, the technician has a choice as towhether he wishes to force the contact 10 outwardly from either side ofthe block assembly 52.

Somewhat the same procedure is utilized in removing the contact 80. Theinsertion process is identical, however. With the ears 84 flexed intoengagement with the appropriate lip 76, the technician need only inserta pointed tool, such as the probe 90 with its tit 92 thereon, into thehole 88, doing so from either side of the block assembly 52. With theprobe 90 or other-tool so inserted, then he moves the platform 86laterally so as to withdraw the ears 84 from the position they normallyoccupy within a given pocket or recess 74, thereby freeing them from thelip 76 for that particular recess. This can be done from either side ofthe block assembly 52. Once the ears 84 have been retracted as aboveoutlined, then the contact 80 can be readily removed without difiiculty.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, arrangements and proportions of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention as set forth in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A sheet metal socket contact for accommodating a plurality of pinscomprising:

(a) a reversely bent central portion forming side panels and aconnecting bight section;

(b) laterally extending rolled portions integral with one of saidpanels, each being capable of receiving therein one pin, and

(c) tine sections connected to said side panels and to said laterallyextending portions for receiving therein an additional pin.

2. A sheet metal socket contact comprising:

(a) a centrally disposed receptacle means facing in one directionincluding a reversibly bent portion forming spaced panels, and

(b) a pair of tapered receptacle means facing in an opposite direction,

(c) said tapered receptacle means being joined to one of said panels,

(d) whereby the major portion of said centrally disposed receptaclemeans lies intermediate said pair of tapered receptacle means. I 3. Asocket contact in accordance with claim 2 where (a) each of said taperedreceptacles includes a tapered portion curving laterally away from saidone panel,

. 6 y then toward said other of said panels and then toward said onepanel to provide a free edge adjacent said one panel.

4. A sheet metal socket contact for accommodating-a plurality of pinscomprising:

(a) a U-shaped body forming generally parallel side panels and atransverse connecting section;

(b) a pair of integral barrel elements extending laterally from saidU-shaped body forming right and left receptacles;

(c) a first pair of resilient fingers projecting from said side panels,and

(d) a second pair of resilient fingers projecting from said barrelelements,

(e) said first and second pairs of resilient fingers forming a centralreceptacle.

5. A socket contact in accordance with claim 4 where- (a) one of saidside panels carries an integral tang for latching said contact within acasing.

6. A socket contact in accordance with claim 5 where- (a) the other ofsaid panels has a slot through which said tang projects.

7. A socket contact in accordance with claim 5 where- (a) said tangcomprises at least one ear and a laterally extending platform fordeflecting said ear from its normal position.

8. A sheet metal socket contact for accommodating tapered and straightpins comprising:

(a) a U-shaped body forming generally parallel side panels and atransverse connecting section at one end;

(b) a pair of laterally extending barrel portions integral with one ofsaid panels for accommodating tapered pins;

(0) a first pair of resilient fingers projecting from the other ends ofsaid panels, and

(d) a second pair of resilient fingers projecting from said barrelportions to accommodate in conjunction with said first pair of resilientfingers a straight pin. a

9. A sheet metal socket contact for accommodating tapered and straightpins comprising:

(a) a U-shaped body forming generally parallel side panels and atransverse connecting section at one end;

(b) a pair of laterallyextending barrel portions integral with one ofsaid panels having a generally circular opening at the end thereofadjacent said one end of said U-shaped body;

(0) a pair of resilient fingers projecting from the ends of said panelsremote from said connecting section,

((1) each of said barrel portions having a plurality of resilientfingers projecting in the same general direction as said pair offingers;

(e) one of each of said plurality of fingers cooperating with said pairof fingers for the engagement of a straight pin therebetween, and

(f) the remaining fingers of said plurality of fingers on each of saidbarrel portions cooperating to engage a tapered pin when inserted intothe generally circular opening of that said barrel portion. a

10. A socket contact assembly comprising:

(a) a casing having a pair of tapered bores and a space therebetween;

(b) a plate having an elongated opening therein, the

ends of said opening being aligned with the enlarged ends of saidtapered bores;

(c) an inverted U-shaped receptacle disposed in said space between thebores of said casing and having a bridging section extending across saidelongated opening, said casing having an opening opposite said plate forthe entrance of a straight pin into said receptacle, and

(d) a tapered receptacle to either ,side of said U- shaped receptacledisposed in each of said tapered bores.

11. A socket contact assembly in accordance with claim 10 wherein:

(a) said casing has a recess adjacent said plate, said plate overhangingsaid recess to form a lip, and

(b) a tang on said U-shaped receptacle for projecting into said recessto retain said contact within said casing.

8 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,816,27512/1953 Hammell 339-273 5 2,883,586 5/1953 Christensen 339258 X2,937,357 5/1960 Kennedy 339-176 X 3,173,737 3/1965 Kinkaid et al339-217 X P. TEITELBAUM, Assistant Examiner. JOSEPH D. SEERS, PrimaryExaminer. PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Examiner.

1. A SHEET METAL SOCKET CONTACT FOR ACCOMMODATING A PLURALITY OF PINSCOMPRIISNG: (A) A REVERSELY BENT CENTRAL PORTION FORMING SIDE PANELS ANDA CONNECTING BIGHT SECTION; (B) LATERALLY EXTENDING ROLLED PORTIONSINTEGRAL WITH ONE OF SAID PANELS, EACH BEING CAPABLE OF RECEIVINGTHEREIN ONE PINE, AND (C) TINE SECTIONS CONNECTED TO SAID SIDE PANELSAND TO SAID LATERALLY EXTENDING PORTIONS FOR RECEIVING THEREIN ANADDITIONAL PIN.